Bird advocate seeks protections for herons and their offspring nesting in ficus trees at 12th Harrison streets. Their idea works well in sleepy Santa Rosa, but doesn’t translate well for the edges of Oakland’s urban Chinatown.

The Emeryville energy bar maker cites riskiness in its decision to dump climbers with the timing coming as Clif Bar presents a highly acclaimed film celebrating the hellions and athletes who pioneered Yosemite climbing.

The beauty of hiking in the East Bay is that it can be a lone experience not far from the trailhead. This guide includes lesser-known adventures as well as old favorites in a world of hiking microclimates with unique characteristics. From Alameda, Berkeley, and Crockett to Moraga, Oakland, and San Leandro with varying distances and levels of difficulty, these hikes are sure to please.